One Heart, One Mind
[ READ ] Acts 4:23-37
The Believers Pray for Boldness
23 When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, 25 who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit,
“‘Why did the Gentiles rage,
and the peoples plot in vain?
26 The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers were gathered together,
against the Lord and against his Anointed’—
27 for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28 to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. 29 And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, 30 while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.
They Had Everything in Common
32 Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. 36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.
23 When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, 25 who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit,
“‘Why did the Gentiles rage,
and the peoples plot in vain?
26 The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers were gathered together,
against the Lord and against his Anointed’—
27 for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28 to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. 29 And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, 30 while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.
They Had Everything in Common
32 Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. 36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.
There is something in us that wants to believe the right response to a threat is a plan. You map it out. You figure out your next move. Peter and John respond to the threat by going back to their people and praying. Together and loud enough to make the building shake.
They don't ask God to move Herod out of the way. They don't ask for easier circumstances. They quote Psalm 2 back to God like they've been living inside that Psalm, like they already know how the story ends and just need to find their footing in it again. That's not naivety. That's people who have learned to hold two things at once: the powers are real, the danger is real, and God is still over all of it.
Then look at what happens next. People start letting go of things. Land, houses, the kind of things that make you feel safe when everything else is uncertain. They sell them and lay the money at the apostles' feet. That's a community that has decided their security is somewhere else. What would it take for you to feel secure enough to let something go?
- David Bempong
They don't ask God to move Herod out of the way. They don't ask for easier circumstances. They quote Psalm 2 back to God like they've been living inside that Psalm, like they already know how the story ends and just need to find their footing in it again. That's not naivety. That's people who have learned to hold two things at once: the powers are real, the danger is real, and God is still over all of it.
Then look at what happens next. People start letting go of things. Land, houses, the kind of things that make you feel safe when everything else is uncertain. They sell them and lay the money at the apostles' feet. That's a community that has decided their security is somewhere else. What would it take for you to feel secure enough to let something go?
- David Bempong
[ EXAMINE ] the passage. At this point, answer some questions about the meaning of the text. Take time to reflect.
+ Read the prayer in verses 24-30. What do the believers actually ask for? What does that tell you about how they saw their situation?
+ They ask for boldness, not safety. Why do you think that was their request?
+ What connection do you notice between the prayer in verses 24-30 and the community description in verses 32-35?
+ Luke ends the passage by naming Barnabas specifically. Why do you think he included that detail?
+ Read the prayer in verses 24-30. What do the believers actually ask for? What does that tell you about how they saw their situation?
+ They ask for boldness, not safety. Why do you think that was their request?
+ What connection do you notice between the prayer in verses 24-30 and the community description in verses 32-35?
+ Luke ends the passage by naming Barnabas specifically. Why do you think he included that detail?
[ APPLY ] the passage to your own life.
+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
[ PRAY ] through the passage and your application, and ask God to change your heart and your life.
+ Pray with me:
Father, when pressure comes, our first instinct is to figure a way out. Teach us to pray before we plan. Give us the kind of boldness that only comes from knowing you're in charge of what we can't control. And make us the kind of people who hold things loosely because we trust you more than we need to feel secure. Amen.
+ Pray with me:
Father, when pressure comes, our first instinct is to figure a way out. Teach us to pray before we plan. Give us the kind of boldness that only comes from knowing you're in charge of what we can't control. And make us the kind of people who hold things loosely because we trust you more than we need to feel secure. Amen.
[ SHARE ] what God is teaching you with at least one person: your roommate,
your spouse, your kids, or your coworkers. Don’t keep what God taught you to
yourself.
(e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join a community group at downtownhope.org/community-groups)
your spouse, your kids, or your coworkers. Don’t keep what God taught you to
yourself.
(e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join a community group at downtownhope.org/community-groups)
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